Pathfinder Foundation on Indian Ocean Security

Colombo (News 1st): The Pathfinder Foundation organized a conference on Indian Ocean security. The inaugural session was held today and the conference will be held online for three days. The session was attended by the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary - Admiral (Rtd) Prof. Jayanath Colombage, the U.S. and Japanese Ambassadors to Sri Lanka along with Former Ambassador Geetha De Silva. Former National Security Adviser of India Shivshankar Mennon and Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation Bernard Goonethileke were the co-chairs of the conference. Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary - Admiral (Rtd) Prof. Jayanath Colombage said that they see the reemergence of QUAD in the 4 pillar countries India, Japan, America, and Australia. He queried as to whether QUAD is the answer for maritime security in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. He said that everyone should accept the fact that one country cannot be the next security provider in the Indian Ocean. The Secretary said that the Indian Ocean is rapidly characterized by increasing arms dynamic and that people have a huge mistrust and trust deficiency in the Indian Ocean. He stressed that Sri Lanka doesn't want to be caught up in a major power game and don't want to hedge between countries. He said that Sri Lanka doesn't want to choose between countries. However, he said that Sri Lanka welcomes investment and what they do not want is to be a strategic security concern to India.